The Angel of Death and His Role Before Qiyamah

 

Introduction

 

The Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) is a powerful and significant figure in Islamic eschatology, responsible for extracting the souls of all living beings at their appointed time. His role is mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, and he carries out his duty with absolute precision, as decreed by Allah (SWT). As the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah) approaches, his task will become even more profound, marking the end of life for every creature, including the greatest angels.

Death is an inevitable reality for every human being, as Allah (SWT) states:

“كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ”
“Every soul will taste death.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:185)

Before Qiyamah, Malak al-Mawt will be responsible for taking the lives of major figures, such as Imam Mahdi, Prophet Isa (AS), and the remaining believers. In the final moments of existence, he will take the souls of all living beings, including Jibreel (AS), Israfil (AS), Mikail (AS), and eventually, himself—signifying the absolute end of creation before resurrection.

This article explores the identity, role, and mission of the Angel of Death, supported by Quranic and Hadith references, to help us understand the great reality of life and death in Islam.

Who is the Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt)?

 

The Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) is a powerful angel responsible for taking souls at the appointed time of death. While his name is not directly mentioned in the Quran, he is referred to as Malak al-Mawt (the Angel of Death).

Quranic Reference

Allah (SWT) says:

“قُلْ يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ مَّلَكُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ”

“Say, ‘The Angel of Death, who has been entrusted with you, will take your souls. Then to your Lord, you will be returned.'”
(Surah As-Sajdah 32:11)

Though his specific name is not given in the Quran, many Islamic scholars identify him as Azrael (عزرائيل), based on classical Islamic sources.

Hadith Reference

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described the Angel of Death’s role:

“إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكَّلَ بِكُلِّ رُوحٍ مَلَكًا يُقْبِضُهَا، وَإِنَّ أَخَذَهُ حَقٌّ وَعَدْلٌ وَمَا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ إِلَّا وَمَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَقْفُو آثَارَهُمْ وَيَنْتَظِرُ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ بِهِمْ”

“Indeed, Allah has appointed an angel to seize every soul, and his taking of life is just and fair. There is no household except that the Angel of Death follows them, waiting for Allah’s command regarding them.”
(Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir, Hadith 8305)

How the Angel of Death Takes Souls

 

The process of soul extraction varies depending on a person’s faith and deeds. The righteous experience ease, while the wicked face a harsh and painful departure.

The Soul of the Believer

For the righteous, the Angel of Death is accompanied by angels of mercy. The soul is extracted gently, like drops of water falling from a cup.

Hadith Reference

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي إِقْبَالٍ مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ وَإِدْبَارٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا، نَزَلَتْ إِلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَةٌ بِيضُ الْوُجُوهِ، يَقُولُونَ: أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الطَّيِّبَةُ، اخْرُجِي إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ”

“When a believer approaches the Hereafter, angels with bright faces descend and say, ‘O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness of Allah and His pleasure!'”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4753)

The Soul of the Disbeliever

For the wicked, the Angel of Death is accompanied by angels of punishment. The soul is extracted harshly, like a thorny branch being pulled from wet wool.

Hadith Reference

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْفَاجِرَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي إِدْبَارٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَإِقْبَالٍ مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ، نَزَلَتْ إِلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَةٌ سُودُ الْوُجُوهِ، يَقُولُونَ: أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْخَبِيثَةُ، اخْرُجِي إِلَىٰ سَخَطٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَغَضَبٍ”

“When a wicked person approaches the Hereafter, dark-faced angels descend and say, ‘O filthy soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allah!'”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4752)

Angel of Death and His Role Before Qiyamah

The Role of the Angel of Death Before Qiyamah

 

The Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) is one of the most significant figures in Islamic eschatology, tasked with the sacred duty of taking the souls of all living beings at the moment decreed by Allah (SWT).

His role extends beyond the natural course of death that occurs every day; it is part of a grand, divine plan that prepares the world for the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah). Before the final resurrection, the Angel of Death plays a pivotal part in ensuring the completion of Allah’s will.

Who is the Angel of Death?

 

The Angel of Death is described in the Quran as the one entrusted with the task of taking the lives of all beings. While the name of the Angel of Death is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, Islamic scholars and Hadith literature often refer to him by the name Azrael (عزرائيل). The Quran indicates that it is this angel who is tasked with extracting the souls when the time comes:

“قُلْ يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ مَّلَكُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ”
“Say, ‘The Angel of Death, who has been entrusted with you, will take your souls. Then to your Lord, you will be returned.'”
(Surah As-Sajdah 32:11)

This verse demonstrates that the Angel of Death is appointed by Allah and has been given the responsibility of removing the soul at the appointed time.

How the Angel of Death Takes Souls

The process of how the Angel of Death removes the soul differs based on the nature of the person, whether they are righteous or wicked.

For the Righteous

The soul of the righteous believer is extracted with ease and mercy. It is likened to water flowing smoothly from a cup—an effortless transition from life to the afterlife. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described this in a Hadith:

“إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِذَا قَبَضَ رُوحَ عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ لَقَتْنَاهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ، فَيُدْنِي مِنْهُ مَلَائِكَةٌ لِمَا يَأْتُونَ بِهِ”
“When Allah takes the soul of a believer, it is taken easily and gently. The angels bring the soul closer to Him.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4753)

The soul is then surrounded by angels of mercy, who bring it to a place of honor and paradise. The angel does not face resistance, and the person’s soul is at peace, being received with the joy of Allah’s pleasure.

For the Wicked

On the other hand, for the wicked soul, the Angel of Death carries out the extraction with great difficulty. The soul is torn out from the body as if a thorn is being pulled from wet wool. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described this in the following Hadith:

“إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا قُبِضَتْ رُوحُهُ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ، وَإِنَّ الْفَاجِرَ إِذَا قُبِضَتْ رُوحُهُ أَتَتْهُ مَلَائِكَةُ الْمَوْتِ فِي غَيْرِ وَجْهِهِمْ”
“When the soul of the wicked is taken, the angels of death come in a harsh manner and tear the soul from the body.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4752)

The soul of the disbeliever or sinner is pulled out with great force and resistance, facing agonizing pain during the process.

The Angel of Death Before Qiyamah

 

As the end of time (Qiyamah) approaches, the role of Malak al-Mawt becomes even more profound. His actions during this period include:

 The Death of Significant Figures

One of the major events leading up to Qiyamah is the death of prominent figures, including Imam Mahdi, Prophet Isa (AS), and the last believers who remain after the battle with Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuj). The angel will be the one to remove their souls, ending their roles in the earthly plane and preparing the world for the coming judgment.

The Final Souls Taken

The last souls to be taken will include the remaining angels who serve Allah, like Jibreel (AS), Mikail (AS), and Israfil (AS). Eventually, the Angel of Death will be commanded to take his own life by Allah (SWT). This event is significant because it marks the end of all existence before the final resurrection. In this moment, death itself will cease to exist, and the world will be in a state of utter stillness until the second blowing of the Trumpet by Israfil (AS).

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated in a Hadith:

“فَإِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ فِي النَّاسِ مَا قَضَى، سَجَدَتْ سَائِرُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ حَتَّى يَسْجُدَ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ”
“When Allah completes His will regarding all people, all the angels will prostrate, and even the Angel of Death will prostrate to Allah (SWT).”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2847)

The Universal Death Before Resurrection

As Qiyamah nears, all living beings, including all humans, animals, and angels, will experience death. This will be a universal end of life, where no one will be alive to witness the final events until Allah commands the resurrection. The Angel of Death will continue to execute his task until all creation is wiped out, leaving only Allah (SWT).

Conclusion

 

The Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) plays a vital role in the cycle of life and death, carrying out Allah’s divine command to take the souls of all living beings. His presence serves as a constant reminder that death is an inevitable reality and that our ultimate return is to Allah (SWT).

As Qiyamah (the Day of Judgment) draws closer, his task will become even more intense. He will take the lives of major figures, including Imam Mahdi, Prophet Isa (AS), and the remaining righteous believers, before moving on to the greatest angels. Finally, by Allah’s command, Malak al-Mawt himself will perish, marking the end of all creation until the second blowing of the Trumpet, when all souls will be resurrected for judgment.

Final Quranic Reflection

“اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا”

“It is Allah who takes the souls at the time of their death.”
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:42)

This temporary life is a test, and we must prepare for the eternal Hereafter through faith, worship, and good deeds. May Allah (SWT) grant us a righteous end and a place in Jannah. Ameen.

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